Think and Act Anew

Walking in the Shoes of Those in Need

With over 46 million Americans living in poverty, it is a critical piece of our work to be able to internalize the struggles of our brothers and sisters in need as we continue our work to end poverty. If we take the time to put ourselves in their shoes, we gain the empathy we need and a deeper understanding for how to truly help.

A couple weeks ago, prior to the National Poverty Summit, I participated in a poverty simulation, where each attendee was required to put themselves in the shoes of someone struggling to get by. For two hours I was immersed in a life of poverty, living as a father of two who had recently been laid off. I was skeptical as to how much impact two hours could really have in conveying the reality of poverty, but even in that short time, I could feel my stress level rising as I tried to navigate the bureaucracy of government programs, apply for jobs, and help my children stay in school. It was truly an eye-opening experience.

Growing up, I sometimes found it hard to internalize the day-to-day barriers that those struggling just to get by had to face. Sure, times were sometimes tough, but I was blessed to have parents who were almost always able to make ends meet, to put food on the table and provide a roof over our heads. I suspect that many of us had a somewhat similar experience, making it hard to comprehend the daily reality that those living at or below the poverty line have to face.

The participants in the simulation came from diverse backgrounds with one thing in common: a commitment to understanding and reflecting on the experiences of the poor. We all came away with a deeper understanding of the frustrations, red tape, and obstacles preventing our brothers and sisters in need from achieving self-sufficiency and a better life.

That powerful experience stayed with me through the next couple of days as I attended the second annual National Poverty Summit, where my friend and nationally-syndicated columnist E.J. Dionne spoke about our call as faithful citizens to remember the poor and marginalized in this election cycle. We also heard remarks from researchers from the Urban Institute and the University of Notre Dame, who stressed the importance of reliable data and collaboration in measuring the effectiveness of innovative programs.

Each speaker challenged us to discuss the experiences and needs of the poor with friends and foes alike, with our co-workers and Members of Congress – no audience too big or too small. I hope you’ll join me in bringing a heightened awareness of the reality facing over 46 million Americans. Take a minute to put yourself in the shoes of those who struggle to put food on the table for their families or find a job that pays a living wage. I promise you – you won’t look at your blessings the same way again.

The Heroes that Surround Us

For most of us, the pain and tragedy of that cloudless day in September is still very raw. Reflecting on the eleventh anniversary of September 11th, 2001, it is impossible to forget the brave men and women who rushed in to the burning buildings to save those inside serving as heroes up until their last breaths, with no hesitation to respond in that moment of crisis. There were a lot of heroes that day.

First responders continued their work amidst the tragedy even after the towers fell. Family and friends consoled one another in their moments of loss in the weeks that followed. Local service providers, including Catholic Charities agencies, stretched to do whatever they could to ease the pain of those affected by the attacks. Communities responded to the needs of the families and loved ones left behind; knowing that things would never be quite the same.

The events of that terrible day had us all holding our loved ones a little tighter, while at the same time reaching out to those around us who might need a little extra support in getting past the tragedy.

While eleven years later we still struggle to find meaning in the tragic events of that day, the humanity and courage evident in our reaction as a nation continues to give us hope.

The strength we embodied has not disappeared. Those heroes still surround us every day. Whether they prepare for catastrophic response, counsel those suffering a loss from other means, provide services to families in need in the wake of disaster, or simply work to foster healing, those heroes serve in communities throughout the country without thinking twice.

Eleven years later, we still hold all of those who senselessly lost their lives in prayer and we know that there is still a vacuum in the lives of their loved ones. And we remember those who rushed in without preparation or best practices to do what they could in the face of overwhelming tragedy. We salute the sacrifice of those who lay down their lives for friends and strangers alike, and we live in gratitude for their example and their sacrifice. But we cherish the knowledge that in their wake, a new generation of heroes emerges. One that serves in both tragic and commonplace moments. And one whose work is equally important to the fabric of this nation.

Better Prepared

Seven years ago, our nation watched helplessly as Hurricane Katrina turned New Orleans and the Gulf Coast into a flooded disaster zone.   As I look back today, on Katrina’s seventh anniversary, wondering what Hurricane Isaac will bring, I take solace in the fact that our country and residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are stronger and more prepared for this type of disaster than they were seven years ago – likewise, Catholic Charities agencies are poised and ready to answer the call for help.

Hurricane Katrina exposed cracks in our response protocols and challenged us to do more to ensure that no one, regardless of where they live or what they do, is left behind during these tragic events. Ever since, our local agencies on the ground, as well as our entire national network, have re-dedicated their efforts to provide first-class disaster response to communities left shaken after a natural disaster.

Now, our agencies stand ready to respond and provide immediate relief to those affected by storms, winds, and flooding. While no one can predict what the impact of Hurricane Isaac will be, we keep the residents of the Gulf Coast in our prayers, as well as those who will be on the front lines of responding to the effects of the storm.

It can be difficult to see the hand of God in times of disaster and calamity. However, in times of duress, we are called to be the hands of Christ present in the midst of those suffering from the wind, rain, and floods. Preparing our network for these catastrophic situations will always be a work in progress, but we continue on our mission to provide hope to those in need especially in times of disaster.

To help support disaster victims, please visit the Catholic Charities USA disaster donation webpage.

Gateway to Opportunities

We here at Catholic Charities USA are eagerly awaiting our upcoming trip to Saint Louis, Missouri, for our 2012 Annual Gathering. As someone who grew up in the Midwest, I’m excited to once again visit the glistening Gateway Arch, take in a Cardinals game, and experience the hospitality of our friends at Catholic Charities of St. Louis, who will be celebrating their centennial anniversary by hosting this meaningful event.

While our yearly gatherings offer us a much needed opportunity to make new friends and reconnect with old ones, more importantly, they’re a chance for us to engage in meaningful discussion about the state of poverty in our nation while working together to shed light on the innovative and exciting new ideas that are truly helping to lift those most vulnerable among us out of poverty.

For too long, the discussion of how to address poverty has remained siloed among social service providers and nonprofit organizations knocking on the doors of government and corporate America, looking for partners to engage with us in this important conversation. 

Engaging the marketplace must be a central principle in this discussion.  Effectively partnering government, non-profit and private resources is essential to permanently improving outcomes for people in need. 

Recently, New York City announced a project that did just that.   With buy-in from a major investment bank and the city government, a non-profit, The Adolescent Behavioral Learning Experience (ABLE), will work to reduce recidivism rates  by helping at-risk young men improve skills through education, training and counseling.  Currently, almost 50% of young people who leave correctional facilities in New York City return within one year. If ABLE reduces that number by 10%, they save the local government money, ensure a return for investors and deliver the promise of a better life to thousands of young men– making this a triple bottom-line proposition. While similar programs have shown promise, the engagement of a major national corporate partner demonstrates the increasing appetite for this kind of close partnership, setting the stage for potential future collaborations in cities across the country.

The model New York City is creating here is exciting and welcome news for us in the work we do.  They are creating the building blocks for a new way of thinking about social service – one that transcends traditional models in favor of growing partnerships that can leverage the essential work of nonprofit organizations in communities across the country.  We’ll be thinking about this innovative idea and others as we prepare for our Annual Gathering in St. Louis and as we continue forward in building a gateway to opportunities for all.

God Bless America; My Home Sweet Home

Independence Day is a day we associate with barbeques, fireworks, friends, family and…God? The last word shouldn’t throw you off.  We often forget how deeply religious the founding fathers were and how large a role their faith in God played in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the ultimate formation of the United State of America.

Our country was founded on a faith in God that dictates a moral imperative to care for all.  Our founding fathers wasted no time in declaring in that bold document, “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”  We must affirm and act on this truth today and every day, with the recognition that this applies to all races, ethnicities, religions, cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds.  Whether you are wealthy or poor, in the eyes of God, and in the eyes of our forefathers, you were created equally.  In today’s divisive environment, where we can see the demonization of wealth and success just as easily as we can see the marginalization of those living in need of economic support, this is easy to lose sight of.

There are many great things about this country. I would go so far as to say that we live in the greatest nation in the world.  Why then, does it seem so few are living true to the calling to “Love thy neighbor as thyself”?  Too many of our neighbors have to decide between buying food and buying medicine.  Too many of them have to ask their teenage children to drop out of school to care for younger siblings so they can go to work, due to the high cost of daycare.

These people are more than just statistics, they are real faces with unique stories – they are our brothers, our sisters, and yes, our neighbors.  And while we are all created equally, even the strongest among us may need the help of a neighbor when they fall.

So as you watch the spectacular fireworks and enjoy a barbeque with your family and friends, think about your neighbors who may be down on their luck.  Think about the vision our forefathers had for this country in recognition of their faith in an all-loving God.  Finally, think about the role you can play in ensuring that those among us that aren’t treated equally today, will be treated equally tomorrow. 

Consider this: In the end, what really makes this country great is our power as individuals and as a society to make a positive difference, to love our neighbor, and to be their source of hope.

As Kate Smith once sang “God Bless America, My home sweet home.”

 

Lyrics to "God Bless America":

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.

The Power of One: Feeding the Multitude

Imagine this: you’re at the Olive Garden with your family and friends, surrounded by other tables also full of family and friends, enjoying the restaurant’s Italian dinner specialties. But what if no one orders the Chicken Marsala that night? It used to be that restaurants threw away unused food every night, much of it perfectly good. A terrible waste considering that more than 48 million Americans worry about where their next meal is going to come from--or don’t have enough to feed the family at all.

Bill Reighard, a former restaurant executive, took to heart Jesus’s instruction to his disciples after the feeding the multitudes during his ministry around the Sea of Galilee : “When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”  (John 6:12)  In 1992 he partnered with Yum! Brands to establish Food Donation Connection (FDC), a limited liability company that serves as a liaison between restaurants interested in donating leftover prepared food and the social service agencies that provide meals for people at risk of hunger.  “Let Nothing Be Wasted” is their motto.

FDC works with restaurants, primarily chains and restaurant groups, to create Harvest Food Donation Programs and assists them in the development of product quality and handling standards, tax valuation, donation reporting and ongoing monitoring and provides other services  to ensure program implementation and growth.  FDC also links donors to food relief agencies in its Donor Recipient network.

Catholic Charities agencies in more than 75 cities are among the recipients of Harvest Food donations. According to FDC records, our agencies in Chicago, Joliet, La Plata, and Saint Cloud were among the first to sign up in 2000. As of 2011 we have received close to 1 million pounds of foods to serve the hungry through our programs.

In total, 248 business entities through 13,880 restaurants donated 35 million pounds to 7,908 agencies in 2011. It’s a clear demonstration of the power one person has to effect a change that impacts the lives of thousands. What began as Bill Reighard’s vision is now a global organization bringing delicious meals that used to be discarded to the hungry.

The NBC program Rock Center recently profiled one of the donors, Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52) in a segment that shows how the Harvest Food Donation program works. (See FDC’s list of donor restaurants here.) I encourage you to watch it. Then let me know what you think about this unique social enterprise and any inspiring ideas you have for feeding our neighbors in need.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 
You can post your comments below or join the conversation on our Facebook page.

 

 

 

A Touching Tribute from a good man to "A Good Man"

Sargent Shriver joked in a speech once that despite all his professional accomplishments, he is probably best known for being Maria Shriver’s father.  In a world obsessed with pop culture, there may be some truth to that, but to me he is known for being behind some of the most defining social welfare and civic engagement programs in our country’s history.

His son, Mark Shriver, recently released a book titled “A Good Man”, where he recounts stories from his childhood and the legacy his father left behind after he passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2011.

In this touching tribute, Mark talks about the three principles that guided his father’s life: faith, hope, and love, and the power behind those principles.  He writes that his dad’s work was grounded in the faith he had in God and that it demanded hope and love in every facet of life.

Sargent Shriver is credited for being the architect behind President Lyndon Johnson’s “War on Poverty” and was one of the directors of the Office of Economic Opportunity whose job it was to administer the local application of federal funds targeted against poverty.  This was the first time the issue of poverty became a national concern and led to the development of programs such as Head Start, food stamps, work study, Medicare and Medicaid, which still exist today. 

That policy initiative took place during a pivotal time in our country’s history. Poverty was at an all-time high, the economy was suffering, and we could have done a lot of different things, but Sargent realized that something needed to be done to help the less fortunate.  He understood the specific need, and he came up with what was an innovative idea for that time which was to provide resources to individuals that were struggling to make ends meet.  To Sargent, it was about equality, and the programs that were born out of the War on Poverty aimed to help level the playing field for the least among us.

Today, we find ourselves at a similar pivotal time in history.  There are more than 46 million people in this country living in poverty—and that number is increasing.  I imagine that when Sargent Shriver was developing the policies behind the War on Poverty he knew that reducing poverty and ensuring that all the remaining poor live with dignity would require reconsidering all our old ways of thinking about the poor and how to help them, just as we are doing right now.

There still exists an appetite for change in Washington and we need to ensure that change occurs, but Washington needs help from the people on the ground. 

There are some that read this and feel overwhelmed by the pure scope of the problem and may want to just turn away. But today I want to challenge all of you to engage now in a way you have never envisioned before. 

As Catholics, we are mandated to care for the least among us and if we put our minds to it, we can reshape the social contract of our country so that no person is left out or left behind.

I urge you to think of Sargent Shriver‘s principles of faith, hope, and love. I hope you channel the FAITH you have in GOD to create HOPE and LOVE in your work and demand it, as he did, in every facet of your life. 

Those of you who are familiar with Sargent Shriver will find a heart-warming account of one man's life that was lived for others.  For those of you who may not be familiar with Sargent Shriver, I encourage you to read “A Good Man” and be inspired by how one man was able to do great things for an even greater good.

Helping Young Fathers "Man Up"

As families are busy planning annual Father’s Day barbecues and selecting yet another tie or tool for Dad, there is one group of fathers for whom this holiday is anything but a picnic--teenage boys who are now fathers of an infant or young child.

A new report by Child Trends, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research center that studies children at all stages of development, estimates that as many as 900,000 young men between the ages of 12 and 16 in 1996 became fathers before their 20th birthday.  Two-thirds of them fathered their first child when they were 18 or 19 years old. Most of the mothers were also 19 or younger.  Needless to say, few are equipped with parenting skills when their child is born. What are the prospects of these ‘children of children’?

Research compiled by the Department of Health and Human Services shows that when both parents are actively and positively engaged in their children’s lives, children are more likely to lead healthy, productive lives. 

Children with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior compared to children who have uninvolved fathers.  Committed and responsible fathering during infancy and early childhood contributes to emotional security, curiosity, and math and verbal skills.

However, as the Justice Department observes, many of these teens have a history of deviant behavior that may involve membership in gangs, drug abuse, petty crimes or worse, and time served in prison.  Most have no employable skills.  But fathering a child as a teenager has even more far-reaching consequences for the father, the child, and society.

Most family support programs have been designed to assist single and teenage mothers, though, out of a long-held belief that the mother-child bond was of primary importance.  But recognizing the unique influence a father can have on his children’s lives, Catholic Charities agencies and other child welfare organizations have begun “fatherhood programs” to strengthen paternal involvement in their child’s life.

Here’s an example. In Brooklyn, a 20-year-old father--let’s call him Thomas--was in a relationship with the mother of his child when she gave birth. But shortly afterwards, the parents had an explosive blow-up and split. Brooklyn Family Services issued an order of protection that prohibited Thomas from seeing his son. To have any hope of regaining parental privileges, he was ordered him to attend parenting and anger management classes and soon entered Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens’ “Man Up” program.

Officially called the Man Up- Fatherhood Program, participating fathers aged 16-24 learn to reconnect and strengthen their bond with their children.  By attending a series of courses to develop their parenting skills, they learn to focus on the wellbeing of their child, gain the skills needed to support their families financially, and serve as a "role model" in their children's lives. 

In addition to anger management classes, Thomas, an unemployed high school graduate, receives one-on-one job search coaching. He was taught about the importance of resumes and worked with one of the staff to prepare his. He also learned how to dress to appear more professional and practiced interviewing techniques. He’s now looking for a job and has regained limited visitation rights to spend time and play with his child. As difficult as it is for someone of his age, he is learning to be less focused on his own needs. Now the father of a young child, he’s learning that it’s “all about your son.”

Being a committed parent, a father, is a demanding role under the best circumstances.  Young fathers like Thomas face an even more challenging road ahead of them. This is my hope: that with the support of their families, communities, friends, teachers and mentors, these young fathers will one day be the center of their own Father’s Day rituals, perhaps even receiving an ugly tie, lovingly given.

What are your ideas for strengthening the father-child bond? Post them in the Comments section below or join the conversation on our Facebook page.

Transforming Services from Overhead to Income

For generations, immigrants and refugees have arrived on America’s shores--or more recently airports--bringing their talents and seeking opportunities to build better lives through education and hard work. From their entry points, they migrated to settle communities all over the country. (You can see immigration patterns in the U.S. since 1880 on this interactive map.)

Catholic Charities agencies provide assistance to these populations, including one of the most critical services needed--translation. Immigrants and refugees need help to navigate the legal system, describe symptoms to doctors, understand school newsletters and report cards, and more.

Photo source

As you might expect, operating translation programs can be costly. One of our agencies, Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, Texas (CCFW), took a fresh look at its program after public funding ran out...and saw an opportunity to turn it into a social enterprise.

For more than a decade, Forth Worth has been the fastest growing large city in America, welcoming many new families from Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific Islands, among others.

In 1999, CCFW received funding from the Texas Department of Health to improve language access--and thus access to social and health services--for refugees and immigrants. CCFW established the Translation & Interpretation Network (TIN) to provide professional interpretation services to institutions in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, like schools and hospitals, that served non-English-speaking populations. The program was supported initially by government funding and nominal fees paid by the organizations using the program. When the government program ended in 2005, CCFW covered the remaining expenses.

In 2007, CCFW decided that since TIN’s clients were institutions, and not directly those in need, it would be possible and appropriate to convert the program into a for-profit venture, freeing the organization’s funds to address the needs of individuals. In 2008, TIN transformed into a social business, generating income through fees that average $55 to $80/hour for interpreters, translators, and related services.

From its first day as a business, TIN has been self-supporting and profitable; 100% of its profits are turned back to CCFW, effectively transforming the program from a cost center to a revenue generator. The enterprise has grown 25% to 30% each year, expanded its market beyond the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and developed new product offerings like web-based delivery systems, consulting, professional development, and training.

Today, more than 200 trained and certified translators and interpreters offer high quality language services in more than 50 languages. They include Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Vietnamese, as well as many rare languages from smaller nations, like Khmer, Lingala, and Pashto.

Although now a for-profit business, TIN has not lost sight of its social mission and remains a program of CCFW.

Through TIN, bilingual refugees can secure highly paid part-time employment to supplement their incomes. It allows women with children, those with full-time jobs, and students to achieve greater self-sufficiency. In addition, TIN provides education and development opportunities for its interpreters that can enable them to run their own small businesses. And it provides a small income stream to CCFW.

The poor may always be with us (cf. Mt 26:11), but that doesn’t mean they must remain poor. While programs like TIN do not replace charity and almsgiving, they create sustainable ways for us to ensure that every person has “all that is necessary for living a genuinely human life,” including food, clothing, housing, and productive work. The Translation & Interpretation Network is an excellent example of what I mean when I say we need to “think and act anew” about how we serve the poor in America.

Are there services or programs in your community that could be converted into social businesses? Post your ideas here, or join the conversation on our Facebook page.

Nothing Stops a Bullet Like a Job

It began as a jobs program that provided an alternative to gang affiliation for young people.   In 1992, a bakery was opened in a run-down warehouse. A tortilla stand in the downtown market was next.  Before long Homeboy Industries was born. 

Fr. Gregory Boyle, a Jesuit priest, has spent more than two decades advocating for at-risk and gang-related youth, which he experienced first-hand as pastor of a parish in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Los Angeles. 

While there is no definitive reason why kids want to join gangs, the National Center for Victims of Crime cites poverty, lack of economic opportunity, a sense of belonging, and fast money among the contributors.  More than one-third of California’s poor live in Los Angeles County, which also has high levels of high school dropout rates.

The FBI estimates "there are approximately 1.4 million active street, prison, and OMG [motorcycle] gang members comprising more than 33,000 gangs in the United States.” Gang membership has increased by a 40 percent since 2009. According to its 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment, gangs are migrating from traditional urban bases to the suburbs and rural communities; gang members who return to the community from prison have an adverse and lasting impact on these neighborhoods.  Homeboy Industries was established to create an environment that provided training, work experience, and, importantly, the opportunity for rival gang members to work side by side baking bread, learning to silkscreen, developing retail skills, or running a restaurant and catering business.  Training has expanded to include employable skills like solar panel installation. 

The success of Homeboy Bakery created the groundwork for additional businesses. Today, Homeboy Industries’ nonprofit enterprises include Homeboy Bakery, Homeboy Silkscreen, Homeboy/Homegirl Merchandise, and Homegirl Café.

Homeboy Industries helps about 12,000 and employs 300 former gang members each year.  As its mission statement reads, “Nothing stops a bullet like a job.”

Homeboy Industries is a striking example of the Great Commandment: Love Your Neighbor. And love might be the most significant tool in Homeboy’s toolbox.

In an NPR interview, a former juvenile offender said:

I remember the first time [Fr. Greg] ever told me he loved me...To me, it was, like, uncomfortable because I'm here looking at him like, 'Man, how's this white man gonna tell me he loves me when not even my own mom tells me that.' But he just started showing me how to love, how to be loved.

Homeboys has inspired at least 15 other communities to form similar initiatives.  Former gang members who have been through the Homeboys program are working with at-risk youth in Pritchard, Alabama. This video shows how even those from East L.A. are shocked by the poverty and despair there.    

From one person’s determination to see these kids as human beings and to offer love, compassion, and kinship, the cycle of gang violence in urban and rural communities is slowly being broken.  As Fr. Greg says:

It’s all about kinship, it’s all about connection, it’s all about linking ourselves to each other and staying committed to the truth that we belong to each other.  And then you discover that’s really powerful in the world. That no bullet can pierce it. 

The Homeboy program not only offers an alternative to the streets and wraparound services, it has created businesses and jobs that are transforming the landscapes of some pretty tough neighborhoods. That’s what I call thinking and acting anew.

We were pleased to have Fr. Greg conduct a workshop at Catholic Charities’ Centennial Gathering in 2010. The program, “Being a Gospel People Today,” which he led with Diocesan Director Laura Cassell of Rockville Centre, addressed one of the greatest challenges we face today—remaining faithful to the Gospel in our work and in our lives.